Gambling

Harmful gambling is defined as any type of repetitive gambling that disrupts or damages personal, family or recreational pursuits. It can have many and varied impact, including on an individual’s physical and mental health, relationships, housing and finances, and affect a wide range of people, such as families, colleagues and wider local communities.

Individuals experiencing harm from gambling, or their families or carers, rarely present to health or social care services with problem gambling as their presenting condition, and it can manifest in a range of different ways, including physical and mental health problems, relationship breakdowns as well as social care and financial issues.

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?
Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?

Assist

What impact does your gambling have on your relationships with people who are important to you?
How does gambling make you feel?

  • Look for anxious/depressed, worried, guilty


What have you tried in the past that has helped you to limit your gambling? (look for setting a limit and or self-exclusion)
What aspects worked for you? What worked well? What worked less well?
There are a range of people and organisations that can help, would you like me to provide some information for you?

Act

  • Problem gambling is often described as a hidden addiction and some people may have gone to great lengths to hide this. Where the person has highlighted that problem gambling may be affecting them and/or the people around them.

Give reassurances that there are lots of sources of support

 

BeGambleAware

The BeGambleAware website has a short series of questions you can complete if you are concerned about your own or someone else's gambling.  This has direct link to help, support and advice about problem gambling.  The National Gambling Helpline can be contact on 0808 8020 133

Web: https://www.begambleaware.org/gambling-problems/do-i-have-a-gambling-problem/

 

The National Gambling Helpline                                         

Tel: 0808 8020 133    

The Helpline provides confidential advice, information and emotional support throughout Great Britain to anyone experiencing problems with gambling. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week                                                           

 

GamCare Forum:

This is an online message board, providing a safe and secure space for users (who may be gamblers or their partners, friends and family) to share experiences, thoughts and feelings about problem gambling. Although the Forum is moderated by the GamCare Team, it is designed first and foremost for people to come together in similar situations, working through similar concerns and problems.

Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/

 

The GamCare Group Chatroom:

GamCare run regular sessions in their online chatroom, where users can use live text chat to talk about issues related to gambling harms with other people in similar situations, supported by one of our Adviser.

Their Chatroom is a safe and supportive environment. Some sessions might be fairly busy and intense; others will be quieter and more relaxed. Each session is moderated by one of our Advisers, who will welcome you to the chat and be on hand to guide everyone or answer questions if needed.

Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/group-chatroom/ 

 

GamCare Treatment Services:                                           

GamCare provides local services for people concerned about their own gambling and for people affected by someone else’s gambling.

People can refer themselves or be referred by another professional. Following assessment they provide individually tailored support through 1-1 sessions and groups or courses. They work holistically to enhance opportunities for people to make changes in their own gambling. We support affected others by providing a safe space for them to recognise and increase their coping skills.                

Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/find-local-treatment/                                                       

Gamblers Anonymous

Runs local support groups for people with gambling addictions and advocates the same 12-step approach to recovery as Alcoholics Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous also offers help and support via their website, including a forum, chat room and literature. Anyone who is seeking help for gambling addiction is able to attend meetings.

Web: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

 

Gam-Anon

Is an organisation dedicated to supporting the husbands, wives, partners, relatives or close friends of someone with a gambling problem who have also been affected by the problem. Like Gamblers Anonymous, meetings are held throughout the country, with online support also available.

Tel: 08700 50 88 80

Web: http://gamanon.org.uk/

 

Support for young people:

BigDeal is a place for young people to get information, advice and guidance about gambling. They also also help parents and professionals such as teachers, social workers and youth workers. They know all about gambling, how someone else’s gambling can affect you, and about the difficulties young people can get into if their gambling gets out of hand. That’s why you can share your worries via their live chat or helpline, without fear of judgement.

Web: https://www.bigdeal.org.uk

Where the person has indicated that problem gambling may be affecting their physical and mental health and wellbeing. (This could include anxiety/depression, low mood, stress, use of alcohol as a coping mechanism etc)

  • Encourage the person to contact their GP. Their GP will be able support the person in many ways whilst they seek help for any associated gambling problems.
  • If you believe the person is highly destressed or in crisis, consider offering details for Samaritans as a safe place to talk any time they like.
  • Samaritans - (All age groups)
  • Tel: 116 123, open 24 hours a day.

Where the person has indicated debt or financial concerns as an additional factor

Debt advice - Citizens Advice      

Citizens Advice offers free, independent, confidential and impartial debt advice through their web chat service.                                 

Tel: 0300 330 1313                            

Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money

                                                                      

Debt advice - Step Change Charity               

StepChange Debt Remedy provides expert advice, budget support and solutions to help someone manage their debts.                   

Tel: 0800 138 1111, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-4pm                                              

Web: http://www.stepchange.org

 

Where the personal has indicated that they would like more information on self-exclusion from bookmakers or online gambling sites.

National self-exclusion schemes

New multi-operator schemes are being introduced across the five main sectors of the gambling industry to allow you to exclude yourself from each of those forms of gambling across the whole of Great Britain.

Web: http://optintoselfexclude.info/

 

Individual gambling sectors self-exclusion schemes

(Bookmakers, Casinos’, Bingo venues and Arcades also offer exclusion schemed for more information click the link below:

Web: https://www.begambleaware.org/stay-in-control/how-to-self-exclude/

 

Online sector self-exclusion and blocking software

If you want to self-exclude from an online (remote) gambling company then you will need to contact each of the companies with which you hold an account. This can usually be done on the responsible gambling pages of the website. You can also get email addresses and telephone numbers for online gambling companies that are part of the Remote Gambling Association here

If you are worried about online gambling then you can download a 'site blocker', which can block access to on line gambling sites. You can find further information on blocking software here

Local Support and Contact Details